The Girls of Gratitude…Introducing Karen

I’m so excited to introduce my next Gratitude Girl…or in this case “Girls.”

I’m really lucky because both gals have the same name, Karen.  The Karen(s) are really important people to me.   In my last post I talked about surrounding yourself with people who truly inspire and motivate you.   I’m very fortunate to have some wonderful people in my life; I feel, assembled through years of relationships and experience.

In honor of my next group of Gratitude Girls, I am excited to introduce you to another new piece in the Gratitude Artisan Collection called “Karen.”

It’s earthy and casual yet dressy just like my Karen’s.  Both Karen’s love brown, which is why I chose it for this piece.  It symbolizes devotion, friendship and love, gratitude and peace.

The beautiful center piece carved barrel bead, which is handmade and hand painted in Kenya (click here to read more about it) is hand wrapped in shiny sterling silver wire and encased with beautiful chocolate and khaki swarovski crystals.  The beautiful toggle clasp was hand selected to reflect the earth and nature – which is embodied in this piece.

Now that you’ve heard about this beautiful piece, I’d like to introduce you to the personalities behind it….

The first Karen is one of my bffs and an integral part of my group of Gratitude Girls. Yeah, we have a lot in common and have a lot of fun…Twilight, New Moon, anyone? LOL – but seriously we’re different, too. It’s fun to have a group of friends that are similar yet different. We all have our strengths and that makes it all the more fun.

If I had to pick one word to describe this Karen, I would have to say devoted. She’s a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend.  She’s the go-to gal.

Here’s a little more about Karen…

1.  What is one thing that you can’t leave home without?

My cell phone of course. I have two teenage daughters that I need to have close contact with at all times.

2.    What is your dream vacation?

I guess I’m taking it in March with my husband, Tom. We haven’t been on a vacation alone in 10 years.  We will be going on a Southern Caribbean cruise (my first time on a cruise).  We are very excited!

3.   What is your favorite drink/beverage?

My favorite drink is a glass of red wine with my best friends.

4.   What is your favorite clothing item?

My favorite clothing item would be sweat pants!

5.  What is your favorite season?

I look forward to the change of seasons, I really enjoy the beginning of each.  If I had to pick it would be Fall!

6.  What is your favorite childhood memory?

Camping!  I grew up camping in Wells Maine every year until I was 14.  Why Maine?  The coast of Maine is beautiful! That’s where my Mom is from and we would spend time with my relatives.

7.  What is your favorite quote?

“If you see someone without a smile give them one of yours”   It easy and it makes people happy.

8.  What are you most grateful for?

I’m most grateful for waking up every morning healthy and I’m able to share my life with the ones I love!!

9.  What is your favorite piece from the Gratitude Collection?

My Gratitude Bracelet. It was my first purchase and I wear it everyday.  It reminds me of everything I have to be grateful for!!!

I’d now like to introduce you to my sister, Karen.  We’re similar yet vastly different.  She’s strong where I’m weak and vice versa.  We balance each other out.  She’s a second mother to my daughter Faith.  When times are tough, I know I can count on my sister to give me her, “Who loves ya baby?” and it makes me feel better everytime.

Read on to learn more about my sis…

1. What is your favorite way to relax?

Yoga and Walking outdoors

2. What is your favorite color?

Any shade of green and orange

3. What are your favorite hobbies?

Hiking, Bird Watching, Reading, and Knitting

4. What are your favorite stores to shop at?

Banana Republic, Ann Taylor Loft, Gap

5.  What is your favorite holiday dish?

a.    Thanksgiving—Stuffing and Turnips

b.    Christmas-Gram’s Pierogi’s, Rice Pudding

6.   What is your favorite childhood memory?

Spending our summers at the shoreline.

Each year we would rent a cottage near the Connecticut shoreline.  I enjoyed hanging out at the beach with my sisters and my family.  I also liked riding my bike along the beach and riding it especially to our favorite pastry shop, Emily’s.

7.  What is your favorite quote(s)?

(Any quote by Emerson or Thoreau…I’m a transcendentalist)

“The only way to be a friend is to be one.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature.”  ~Joseph Campbell
“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.”  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

8. What are you most grateful for?

My health, family, and friends

9. What is your favorite piece of jewelry in Gratitude Collection:

**I LOVE THEM ALL!!!! I have many pieces from all the collections.  I have purchased many earrings, necklaces, and bracelets in chocolate and caramel that compliment the earth tones I gravitate towards.  I also have a number of pieces that are classic black.

In addition, I have a black and brown Eclectic Toggle Necklace.  I love being able to switch the charms for effortless accessorizing.  I have also found this helpful to expanding the colors in my wardrobe beyond just brown and black.  I have the blue bulls eye charm that I wear with so many outfits, the red metallic, the black spiral metallic, the chocolate with the polka dots…love them all!

Introducing the Girls of Gratitude and Dorothy…

Introducing the Girls of Gratitude…

I’ve had an idea for a while to profile some of my customers who have really become raving fans of the Gratitude Collection.  They love Gratitude:  it’s beauty, it’s message, and it’s versatility.  They live and embody a life lived with Gratitude, a positive attitude and abundance.

I am really excited to introduce my first Gratitude Girl.

Her name is Dorothy and she is one of my bff’s and an integral part of my group of Gratitude Girls.  I often talk about surrounding yourself with people who really inspire and motivate you.  These people know how to lift you when you’re down and always find the silver lining – the gratitude, the lesson in everything to create a positive experience from a negative.  They are right there to cheer you on when things are good, too – Dorothy is one of these girls for me!

In honor of my bff and being a Gratitude Girl, I am also SO excited to introduce the first of several new pieces.  The newest bracelet in the Gratitude Artisan Collection is the “Dorothy.”

It is classy, sophisticated and stylish just like Dorothy.  You can probably guess from the color what Dorothy’s favorite color is, which is why I chose it for this beautiful piece.  It symbolizes class and style, gratitude and thankfulness, friendship and hope, love and understanding.

The beautiful center piece carved barrel bead, which is handmade and handpainted in Kenya (click here to read more about it) is handwrapped in shiny sterling silver wire and encased with beautiful swarovski crystals.  I also hand selected the clasp to reflect Dorothy’s heart and love that she embodies.

I hope you check out the Dorothy and please read on to learn more about the personality behind this beautiful piece…

1.  What is your favorite place to shop?

The Gap for clothing and Pottery Barn for my home – clean and simple.
2.  Do you have any style or beauty tips?

Wear sunscreen every day!  Even if it’s raining.  Buy and wear only clothing you love and feel fantastic in.   Toss it or give it away if it makes you feel otherwise.  Do it now.

3.  What is your dream vacation?

Canyon Ranch or Miraval Resort.  Please don’t make me choose.  They are both in Tucson.  Perhaps I can do both on the same vacation.

4.  What is your favorite quote?

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears however measured and far away.” – Henry David Thoreau

5.  What is your favorite food?

Eggs. No. Cheese.  Oh eggs *and* cheese.

6.  What is your favorite childhood memory?

Summer weekends at my Nana and Papa Ken’s house on Lake Hopatcong.

7.  What is your favorite holiday tradition?

A quiet celebration of Russian Christmas at home.  Just the 4 of us.

8.  What are you most grateful for?

The gift of my two children and their birth mothers.  Evidence to me every day that God did indeed have a wonderful plan for me.

9.  What is your favorite piece from the Gratitude Collection?

Eclectic necklace – black base with pewter bead charm.  And.  The Dorothy.  Of course.

Kim Parrish and the HSN Models Wear Gratitude!

Many of you may remember that my friend savvy designer, Kim Parrish, wore Gratitude on HSN in the late spring.  I didn’t realize at the time that HSN has a channel on You Tube.  I thought you might enjoy one of Kim’s segments by watching below (in case you didn’t get to see it).  Kim is wearing the Gratitude Signature Bracelet and one of the Artisan Collection necklaces.  Check out the models as one is wearing the Signature Collection leather necklace.

Enjoy!